KRYK: Haskins, not Murray, best of this year’s QBs in NFL draft

Analyzing each top 10 QB, including in their own words

If I were an NFL GM, I wouldn’t select Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray No. 1 overall.

I wouldn’t even take him as the first QB.

Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins is the more promising, pro-ready passer, as I explain below.

After four months of endless speculation, inspection and mock picks, the NFL draft begins Thursday night with Round 1, then continues Friday night with Rounds 2-3, and concludes Saturday afternoon with Rounds 4-7.

With each passing day, momentum seems to be building for the Arizona Cardinals to take Murray No. 1 overall. It is believed four quarterbacks could go in the first round, maybe high in the first round.

Each winter, going back several years now, at media availabilities with the highly regarded passers, I try to squeeze in two questions to each, either at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., in late January, or at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis as February turns to March.

The two questions: What’s your most pro-ready attribute? And what do you have to work on the most?

It’s my attempt to dig past the auto-cliche responses. Sometimes, answers can be illuminating. Hence, this has become one of my pre-draft things.

Below are my top 10 rookie-to-be QBs, with my takes on each, and their answers to the above two questions. This year, the only one I missed pitching the Qs to was the best of the bunch: Haskins.

At least at his combine news conference he took similar questions, so I employ those answers. Otherwise, all other quotes herein are in answer to my two Qs.

DWAYNE HASKINS

Height: 6-foot-3 3/8

Weight: 231 pounds

Hand size: 9.63 inches

Age: 21

Hometown: Potomac, Md.

College: Ohio State

Started: 14 games, all last season

One of his top pro-ready attributes, in his words:

“Personally as a quarterback, I feel you have to be a distributor. So I find ways to get the ball to everybody. Me in the pocket is more fun to me than trying to run for a touchdown, or me running for a first down. I like to see guys make plays.

“I met with the Jaguars, Raiders and the Saints … and just got on the board and showed what I know as far as nuances of the offences, protections, things of that nature. So they are really impressed with me. I just want to show that I handle the playbook.”

Things he needs to work on, in his words:

“Probably just the terminology. I feel like going from Ohio State to an NFL playbook is different in terminology, as far as wording of plays and being able to dissect the playbook. Each team that I’ve been with had me recall plays, recall formations, act like I’m in the huddle because I don’t huddle much at Ohio State. So those are probably the biggest plays.

“And just working on off-platform throws, and throwing on the run, because I’m really comfortable in the pocket.”

My observations, off video and in person at combine:

I thought he had a bad day in Indy – wayward on too many short, easy throws until salvaging his March 2 session with three beautiful deep post-corners. Haskins’ game tape, though, in his one year of starting for the Buckeyes, is breathtakingly good. Super arm, great vision and – most importantly – accurate (70% completions) and prolific (Big Ten record 50 TDs) all over the field. Also, Haskins threw a bunch of touchdowns outside the pocket; he’s more accurate and productive on rollouts, and after buying himself time, than he’s given credit for. His delivery isn’t always as fast as you’d like, true. And critics say his footwork in the pocket and sense for the rush are raw at best, terrible at worst. But even in games last fall when he was harassed, his resolve and competitiveness overcame those limitations. That’s why I believe Haskins, hands down, is likeliest to succeed among 2019 rookie QBs.

KYLER MURRAY

Height: 5-foot-10 1/8

Weight: 207 pounds

Hand size: 9.5 inches

Age: 21

Hometown: Allen, Texas

College: Oklahoma

Started: 17 games over 3 seasons (first three at Texas A&M)

Most pro-ready attribute, in his words:

“Like I said, I love the game, but more importantly, the mental side of the game is definitely something where I feel unmatched. That’s just the way I feel.”

Thing he needs to work on most, in his words:

“It sounds cliche but just everything, getting better in every aspect of the game. Obviously, I think I bring a lot to the game as far as being mobile, being able to throw inside the pocket and outside the pocket. I’ve been going into a locker room full of grown men, and you have to prove to them that you can lead them. There’s a lot to still improve.”

My observations, off video (he chose not to throw at combine):

There’s a lot to like in Murray’s incredible skill sets as both a passer and runner. Some see a faster Patrick Mahomes, with almost as much aerial creativity. But go look up Murray’s college highlights and judge for yourself. Most touchdowns or big-gainers he threw in his Heisman Trophy-winning 2018 season were to WIDE-OPEN receivers. An NFL QB, if he’s fortunate, might complete five such passes over an entire season. That’s because pro defenders are so good that no NFL offensive game-planner can scheme anywhere close to the number of easy, wide-open throws that Murray regularly was gifted with in Norman. Frankly, I didn’t see nearly enough tough, pro-level completions on his tape (that is to say, tight-window, pro-route throws to covered receivers) to convince me he should be the No. 1 overall pick. Look, Murray is so darn talented he might well prove worthy of such a selection. Maybe. But football is about to become a helluva lot harder than he’s been used to.

DREW LOCK

Height: 6-foot-3¾

Weight: 228 pounds

Hand size: 9 inches flat

Age: 22

Hometown: Lee’s Summit, Mo.

College: Missouri

Started: 46 games over four seasons

Most pro-ready attribute, in his words:

“I would say being able to extend the play. The pockets aren’t going to be perfect all the time. You’ve got to make plays. You can’t just be a stick-in-the-mud in the pocket. So me being able to get out of pockets, getting out of bad situations and making a bad situation good is probably one of my bigger attributes.”

Thing he needs to work on most, in his words:

“Probably being a little more fluid in the pocket. I have a really good feel in the pocket. I do things kind of abnormally. I’m not exactly perfect in the pocket. I do some funky things, kind of making it easier on myself. I can make those throws from weird arm angles seven out of 10 times. So being able to get back to base, and being perfect in the pocket, making those throws 10 out of 10 times – that would be ideal.”

My observations, off video and in person at Senior Bowl and combine:

I thought he was the best of the eight QBs in Mobile on the day I watched practices. Smoothest delivery. Lock makes his throws look effortless, too, a trait typical of the best pro passers. Five weeks later at the combine he was reliably solid again, except that two of his three long bombs were errant. His biggest problem is that in the heat of game action, Lock’s throwing mechanics and footwork way too often all go completely to hell (think of Mahomes or Matthew Stafford throwing after being spun around 10 times in the pocket). Worse, Lock’s internal clock dangerously slows down under duress, then he panics, making him prone to boneheaded, forced mistakes – not to a Nathan Peterman degree, but scary notwithstanding.

DANIEL JONES

Height: 6-foot-5 1/8

Weight: 221 pounds

Hand size: 9.75 inches

Age: 21

Hometown: Charlotte, N.C.

College: Duke

Started: 36 games over three seasons

Most pro-ready attribute, in his words:

“I think my toughness is something I take a lot of pride in. Physically and mentally I’ve always felt like I’m a tough guy, and hopefully that applies at the next level.”

Thing he needs to work on most, in his words:

“I think I can be more consistent mechanically. Continuity will help me with my accuracy. I don’t think my completion percentage is where it needs to be. I think that has something to do with it. And I think at times I’ve had problems holding onto the ball and not making the decision quick enough. That’s also something I’m looking at.”

My observations, off video and in person at Senior Bowl and combine:

Sure looks the part. A decent, fearless runner, too. Has plenty of arm strength. Jones was comfortable and productive in a quick-pass, short-depth, spread shotgun attack. But his down-field accuracy is strikingly poor; he overthrows a lot. Completed fewer than 60% of his college passes – a warning siren. Might be Ryan Mallett II.

RYAN FINLEY

Height: 6-foot-4 flat

Weight: 208 pounds

Hand size: 9.38 inches

Age: 24

Hometown: Phoenix

College: NC State

Started: 42 games over four seasons

Most pro-ready attribute, in his words:

“I think I’m accurate – accurate and smart. I’ve started 42 games in my career, so I have a lot of experience. I think (a team would get) a guy that cares about winning, is passionate about winning and is very competitive. I understand it’s a team game, and how to lead.”

Thing he needs to work on most, in his words:

“Extending plays, and making plays outside the pocket. Running for two first downs a game. So yeah, extending plays. I didn’t do that as much as I’d like to. That’s something that’s at the top of my mind, as far as what I want to keep working on in this process.”

My observations, off video and in person at Senior Bowl and combine:

Liked what I saw of him in Mobile. His hard, quick, dead-accurate post/slant throw off a short drop-back might have been the best completion I saw from the eight passers there. Seemed fluid, fast on his feet and played boldly. Was mostly good at the combine, except on deep heaves – arm strength is not his forte – and, strangely, his perimeter timing was terrible on most of his 10-yard out throws, at both sidelines.

GARDNER MINSHEW II

Height: 6-foot-0 7/8

Weight: 225 pounds

Hand size: 10.13 inches

Age: 22

Hometown: Brandon, Miss.

College: Washington State

Started: 20 games over three seasons (first seven at East Carolina)

Most pro-ready attribute, in his words:

“I’d say just intelligence and decision-making. I think when I’m on the field I know where my guys are going to be, and have a good idea of where their guys are going to be, and that gives me a good chance of putting the ball where it needs to be.”

Thing he needs to work on most, in his words:

“I think it’s the same thing that everyone has to work on – just kind of the learning curve of going into the pro game. Everybody at the college level is kind of operating on Level A, B, C. But Tom Brady and Drew Brees, they’re on Level Z. They’re playing a completely different game. So it’s something that everybody coming out of college really has to work on, and I’m looking forward to taking that (challenge) on.”

My observations, off video and in person at Senior Bowl and combine:

Had the fastest gun in the west, south, east or north in Mobile. Possesses a smooth, rapid delivery and he’s decisive with his throws. Didn’t see enough deep ones in Mobile to gauge strength and accuracy on those, but in Indy he didn’t have the arm or downfield accuracy to complete even two of six deep passes. Yeah.

JARRETT STIDHAM

Height: 6-foot-2 3/8

Weight: 218 pounds

Hand size: 9.13 inches

Age: 22

Hometown: Stephensville, Texas

College: Auburn

Started: 30 games over three seasons

Most pro-ready attribute, in his words:

“I think my leadership. I think if you’re going to draft somebody to run your organization, they’ve got to be able to lead those men in the locker room. That’s a very big thing, and something I take great pride in, in being a leader. I went through a lot of ups and downs at Auburn, and was able to – along with (other leaders) – we were able to keep these guys together.

“And then I think physically, just being able to make every single throw that’s asked of me.”

Thing he needs to work on most, in his words:

“Again, knowledge. It kind of goes hand in hand. You can never know too much. And then physically I would say keeping all my cleats on the ground on my drops, and pocket movement – making sure I’m staying in the pocket as long as possible and finding that checkdown.”

My observations, off video and in person at Senior Bowl and combine:

Struggled with deep throws in Mobile on the day I saw him. Underneath, was crisp and accurate. At the combine he looked good, even deep. But when he’s not throwing against air – i.e., in games and scrimmages – he stops looking the part too much of the time. Indecision seems to poison his play in games.

CLAYTON THORSON

Height: 6-foot-4

Weight: 222 pounds

Hand size: 9.75 inches

Age: 23

Hometown: Wheaton, Ill.

College: Northwestern

Started: 53 games over four seasons

Most pro-ready attribute, in his words:

“I think about my experience … my mobility, in being able to get in and out of the pocket and make plays. Extend the play. In our offence at Northwestern, the way it worked was we were forced to throw into a lot of tight windows with anticipation. So that’s something that I know is going to happen at the pro level. So the combination of that, and what we do at the line of scrimmage – how much is put on my shoulders, in terms of going from run to run, pass to run, run to pass, change of protections, everything like that – I feel like that gives me an edge.”

Thing he needs to work on most, in his words:

“Yeah, we were in the shotgun probably 80% of the time at Northwestern. So just getting reacquainted with five- and seven-step drops.”

My observations, off video and in person at combine:

Might have thrown the prettiest, most accurate deep balls of any QB in Indy – on both fly patterns and post-corners. Impressed on most short throws, too. Rushed his return last fall from a torn ACL, which limited his effectiveness and smothered any senior-season draft buzz. But he’s tall, smart and more mobile than you think. A slow trigger under duress vexed him too often in college. Speed that up and he might surprise as a pro.

BRETT RYPIEN

Height: 6-foot-1½

Weight: 210 pounds

Hand size: 9 inches flat

Age: 22

Hometown: Spokane, Wash.

College: Boise State

Started: 49 games over four seasons

Most pro-ready attribute, in his words:

“I’d say being in a pro-style system, having to command a huddle as well as being under centre. Other than that, I think I’ve been taking drops from under centre. I’m very accurate. That’s one thing I pride myself on as well. And then I’ve been a leader at Boise for three years, and that’s something I can take into an NFL locker room as well.”

Thing he needs to work on most, in his words:

“Something I’m always trying to work on with my game is making more plays outside the pocket, being a little bit more dynamic that way. I’ll always be a pocket passer, a guy who’s going to try to hang in the pocket and make throws. That’s just the player I am. But at the same time when defences try to play max-drop – you know, dropping eight into coverage and there are opportunities to get outside the coverage and make plays, that’s definitely something I can work on.”

My observations, off video and in person at combine:

In Indy he looked competent on nearly all short throws, but wasn’t close on any of three 17-yard in-routes, which require anticipation and downfield arm power. Rypien is labeled with sub-standard arm strength for a reason. In games, he seemed to either deliberately hold the ball too long under pressure while going through progressions, or was oblivious to that pressure.

TYREE JACKSON

Height: 6-foot-7

Weight: 249 pounds

Hand size: 10.25 inches

Age: 21

Hometown: Norton Shores, Mich.

College: Buffalo

Started: 31 games over three seasons

Most pro-ready attribute, in his words:

“The ability to make all the throws, and the tough throws. But another attribute that I really pride myself on is my film study and my ability to pick things up, as far as the playbook goes. So I’m very excited to learn this NFL playbook with the 49ers this week, and just continue to get better.”

Thing he needs to work on most, in his words:

“Just probably clean up my lower-body mechanics. Growing up I never had a private quarterback coach, or someone to work with me. So getting out to L.A. and (working with noted QB guru) Jordan Palmer these last two weeks has been unbelievable, and it’s going to continue to help me to clean up some mechanical stuff.”

My observations, off video and in person at Senior Bowl and combine:

Enigmatic. Had several nice completions within 30 yards in Mobile, but something appears really askew with his shortened delivery. Very little cock-back, which probably is why he looks as though he’s using all his might on just medium-depth throws, when that shouldn’t be the case for a guy that big, with that powerful a cannon. May have helped himself in Indy though; was no more inaccurate than others, even some passers rated ahead of him.

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